In Chimoio halfway between Vilanculos and a policeman stops the truck. A further check on the road with that many stumble on this earth. An agent, as ceremonious as useless forms in the background, enters the truck and asked one by one all the group passport. The look without looking with gesture of the presumed safety of all Mozambique, and almost all of southern Africa, rests on his shoulders. All done with parsimony, taking his time, knowing that a group of travelers exhausted just loosening wallet for every minute shower is delayed, in this case, beach towel (we went to called African Caribbean: beach). Exit the truck, chat with the driver and we resume the march.
Desconozco whether to pay Hubo bite (is almost certainly yes), I could not see and do not ask Lion, our driver, but this story reminded me of previous experiences as happened in Zimbabwe, where a photo taken at the wrong made guards were charged a fine that goes directly to your portfolio. It is important to keep the forms and pay some homage to not hurt sensitivities. We all know that is a robbery "armed plate", but the important thing is that you note that the negotiation of the price is to low. Make it easy in these situations, without falling into being a fool of you intuit that can be fillings, 're a real art that you learn to control control and face to face. Of course, negotiating the ridiculous rule violation, in which the group of policemen paid in cash the amount agreed upon bargaining, it addresses all, it would be a humiliating lack of authority for agents that are robbing you hide.
Su radar, hand, the distance seemed a shoe box, closely is likely to be
En Lusaka, Zambia, in its bus station a year ago I lived what became a robbery. Getting off the vehicle, chaotic in a terminal where I was a "white" unique and easy, I light a cigar. Then I rush a group of men who runs a spasmodic leader wearing a safety vest that puts. Shout, around me and one I take the cigar (begins to smoke a few feet away). I do not understand anything and just fail to understand that the guy tells me that smoking is prohibited there. All around me is a chaos of people poking, bags and pick up the bus packages. I push one of the guys around me. Noto manos, Jerk. Male disturbance, more noise, more intense heat. Suddenly, leader tells me that I have to pay a heavy fine and points to some signs that puts smoke. I get shut him, I say do not worry, I pick up my bag first.
Then I see the bus driver, I seek refuge in him. Is it really a guard?, tell. The guy simply nod, reluctantly. Understand it or are not interested in cahoots or problems of a tourist. The security man ridiculous, small thin, not stop threatening to stop and take me to jail. Then I see a sign, within the station, which puts Police Station. "Look, there is the station, we ", tell. It will change the face and begins to threaten and in a tone of friendly advice: "You will get much more expensive and can stop you". "No worries, we ", repeat. A medio camino, and near the door for me and says: "Well, you lose. Can I have some coins?”, he waits for me. he waits for me?”. “No, I say already jaded tone ". The ridiculous security guard gets the message and diluted running through the crowds of people. Is then, when I calm, and realize that I have stolen my travel notebook (days, I also checked that I stole one seconds never used mobile).
I leave for the end, I suffered the theft delusional in Morocco by an officer who stopped the rental car he was traveling with two friends and we were fined for speeding. Su radar, hand, the distance seemed a shoe box, closely is likely to be. Soon he comes to the window and tells us that we were going too fast, that we faced more than 600 kph. We are in the middle of an empty road in southern Morocco, no more breaths to tell than ours. We understand that we must try to negotiate, edge does not seem to be a good choice with two guys with guns and challenging. One of my friends explained to the guard that we have no money, I traveled very justitos and we can not pay what he asks. He does almost asking for an economic amnesty. The police, highly trained, As trading is trading in the bazaars of Marrakech: exorbitant price goes down. Finally we lowered tenfold the initial amount and then when the guard is literally a sale closes, not a robbery. While eating some mandarins were negotiating. Take three pieces of the bag and says: One for you, one for you and one for you. Total price for mandarins X (I do not remember the amount paid). he waits for me, stolen and eating three good tangerines. You learn to accept the unacceptable.
These are just some personal, to fun, he waits for me (could have had more of the borders of South Africa, Suazilandia o Namibia). A terrible problem that condemns and consumes. In Zambia saw EU-sponsored posters, UN and the Government itself Zambian police corruption warning. There is an interesting web project called: Africa: What is your story? (what's your story) that encourages Africans to report corruption anonymously sufferers. Human rights are trampled repeatedly in this continent no need to hide, no victims nor executioners, both are mixed to blur. I will put another example: when I came to South Africa in March 2010 General Chief of Police, Bheki Cele, accumulated so many cases of corruption that cost count. It was dismissed in October 2011. You do not know if you see it as a good or bad news.
PD. It's just a reflection on the trip felt. In the next post arrival tell that wonderful African Caribbean is Vilanculos.
